10 local startups to watch in 2014

Jan. 6, 2014

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One startup is working on a break-through cancer treatment. Another helps minority- and women-owned businesses close sales with large corporations. A third finds trucks to move partial shipments of products cross-country. They’re among 10 local startups to watch in 2014 – run by a Who’s Who of some of the brightest idea people around.

Chuck Scheper (left), chairman of Bexion Pharmaceuticals, and Ray Takigiku, president and CEO.

Bexion

The Covington startup working to revolutionize cancer treatment recently won a prestigious $2.9 million grant from the National Cancer Institute that will allow it to start testing its drug on humans early this year. Bexion’s drug holds promise for fighting pancreatic cancer and certain brain tumors, among the most devastating cancers and most difficult to treat.

ChoreMonster

The Over-the-Rhine startup that makes chores fun for kids last year closed a $1.5 million round of funding led by Detroit Venture Partners. The funding marked the entry of Detroit billionaire Dan Gilbert into the region’s entrepreneurial infrastructure. Also worth watching: New photo projects from co-founder Paul Armstrong, whose “Big Me, Little Me” photos went viral in 2013.

Co-Ed Supply

Co-Ed Supply aims to reinvent the care package experience for college students by helping parents and others automatically send gift boxes to their kids once a month. The Over-the-Rhine startup is now shipping to all 50 states and has partnered with brands including Secret, Old Spice, Dollar Shave Club, CoverGirl and 5 Hour Energy. It’s hiring a second employee in January.

ConnXus

The 3-year-old startup based in Mason uses technology to connect minority- and women-owned suppliers with large corporations. Last year it landed a contract with McDonald’s Corp. and Coca-Cola, and is in the running for deals this year with several more large customers. It also attracted funding from New York City-based STAR Angel Network, made up of athletes and celebrities, and Serious Change L.P.

Impulcity

Impulcity’s online platform connects people with events and venues in their city. The original app depended entirely on automation to choose and deliver content to users in cities across the country. In September, the Downtown-based startup, which has raised $500,000, switched directions. Its employees now hand-pick every piece of content, whether it’s a photo, event or place. And the company is building its business one city at a time, starting in Cincinnati.

MedaCheck

The Cincinnati-based software and hardware company helps patients maintain a daily medication regimen, which is critical to lowering hospital readmission rates. It has raised $750,000 and has several strategic partnerships. Among them: VRI, the Franklin-based provider of in-home medical monitoring; Midmark, a Dayton company specializing in medical and dental hardware equipment; and Cedar Village, a retirement community in Mason.

OneMorePallet’s leadership team includes Jim Kahmann, left, and Bill Cunningham.

OneMorePallet

The technology company based in Montgomery matches small businesses that need to move partial loads of freight with trucking companies that have available space. It has raised nearly $700,000 and is hoping to raise another $200,000 to keep developing the company’s software, and to invest in marketing efforts.

OpenDataCincy

Local developer Erin Kidwell is building an open data infrastructure in this region with help from the Haile/U.S. Bank Foundation. The goal is a portal that allows users to sort, analyze and transform information into useful tools, maps and visualizations. The web portal went live in September.

Michael Bergman, left, and Charlie Key are among the leaders of Revved.

Revved

Revved is a talent development program to sharpen skills of the region’s digital developers and creatives, a critical need for tech-based companies. REPP co-founder Michael Bergman, REPP CTO Adam Daniel and Modulus CEO Charlie Key are collaborating with Xavier, Cintrifuse and The Brandery. Instructors include Ample partners Bobby Uhlenbrock and Rob Sloan, and Epipheo director of design Daniel Armstrong.

ScopiaRx

The Sharonville software company helps busy doctors write prescriptions for patients taking multiple medications. It helps caregivers recognize early signs of potentially dangerous side effects that could be caused by multiple medications. The company has raised more than $1 million from local investors and anticipates it will begin raising between $3 million and $5 million early this year.